By Amuche Agbo, Abakaliki
In order to ensure food sufficiency and security across the Country, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has charged the residents of the state and beyond to venture into large agricultural activities to diversify the National economy.
Gov. Umahi gave the charge during the inauguration of the new Executive of Amana Farmers and Grain Suppliers Association of Nigeria (AFGSAN) Ebonyi State chapter in Abakaliki, the State capital.
Umahi who was represented at the event by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon.Ogodo Ali Nome commended the leadership of the association for their efforts in promoting agriculture in the state and called other agricultural associations to collaborate with the State Government to achieve the efforts of reviving of agricultural sector in the State.
The Governor who stressed the need for the people of the State to engage meaningfully in agricultural activities especially cultivation of maize, cucumber, rice production among others, said it remains the best means of survival than focusing only on the white collar job, and added that the development would help in guaranteeing self reliant among citizens of the State.
He observed that the State was rated as the largest and best agricultural producing State in Africa, and assured to donate over ten hectares of land to the association across the thirteen Local Government Areas of the State and promised them his continued support at all times.
On his part, the National chairman of the association, Alhaji Ahmed Haruna represented by the National Secretary Alhaji Abdul Mural Suleman, charged the newly inaugurated leaders of the association to work in synergy with the State Government to boost food sufficiency in the State and Nigeria in general.
He described Governor Umahi as an agricultural friendly Governor whom he said has really put the state in the map of the world and called other Governors in the country to replicate same in their various States to diversify the National economy.
However, the former Minister of State for Power and Steel who also doubled as the State chairman of Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme, Chief Goddy Ogbaga and the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Barr. Elizabeth Ogbaga noted that agriculture is the main stream of economy all over the world and attributed the level of hunger and unemployment in the society to the inadequate attention of people to agriculture while calling on the policy makers to harness it accordingly to ameliorate the suffering of the masses.
They congratulated the commissioner for agriculture in the State and the leadership of Amana farmers and Grain Suppliers Association of Nigeria for their lofty initiative in promoting farming in the State.
Earlier in his remarks, the newly inaugurated chairman of the association Mr. Austin Edemba hinted that the association is a non governmental organization committed to facilitating and regulating the supplies of grains including food stuffs within and outside Nigeria, which geared towards eradicating hunger and poverty and maximizing of business benefits in the country.
He appreciated the State Government for given them a level play ground to operate, while seeking for Government support to enable them achieve their set objectives.
Others who graced the event including the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kenneth Ugbala represented by the Director of Cabinet office, Chief Peter Nwokpo as well as the leadership of Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria, Fish Farmers Association of Nigeria, observers and many associations.